Republicans and Evangelicals I Reagan's Shibboleths
About this episode
This episode explores the complex relationship between evangelicals and Ronald Reagan, examining why he became a favored leader despite contradictions in his policies and personal life.
Give to help Chris make the show! Ronald Reagan was an odd choice for evangelicals. For one, he and his wife regularly consulted a medium. He was a Hollywood actor, which should have put him at odds with fundamentalists. Also, Christians have a long history of charity and compassion, while Reagan's policies cut aid to poor people. But in 1980, a lot of evangelicals turned to the Republican Party to vote for him over the evangelical Jimmy Carter. What happened? Jimmy Carter gave audience to evangelical audiences, though not in the same way as Reagan. Carter told people to conserve, while Reagan's optimistic consumerism played to the rising prosperity gospel. Reagan delivered his famous endorsement of evangelicals at the Religious Roundtable, while Carter was suspiciously absent. Also, evangelicals have built up a strong craving for leaders. They love a strongman leader. So when Reagan showed up and promised to be tough, they went for him. Today, we're examining some of the reasons that Reagan became a favorite of evangelicals. And why... maybe that doesn't make sense. Sources: Article on shibboleths Reaganland by Rick Perlstein The Invisible Bridge by Rick Perlstein The…
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